Another WTF to a Right Wing meme

[TransitJohn]

:wtf: is up with the right wing meme of "Old Europe is dying?" I heard this from a couple of true right wingers (all Rush/Hannity approved talking points, all the time in lieu of actual discussion) in a couple airport bars on my way over here to Saudi Arabia yesterday (or was it 2 days ago? oh well.) Then I had a 5 1/2 hour layover in Frankfurt....seeing the lie, as it were, right in front of me. How can these Goobers honestly believe any of the feces they spout over and over?

[Ian David]

1. I think it's code for, "White people are being out-bred by brown people." n/t

[FarrenH]

3. Its simply the desire for an outcome that validates their worldview

being mistaken for reality.

In truth, the European common market is now the largest and richest economy in the world, with a positive trade balance where the US has a negative one and less debt than the USA. While no single European country matches American economic power, the European Common Market is a single market, and it more than matches the US economy. The countries that rate highest on social indices like GINI (inequality, or the lack thereof) and peace are mostly Northern European.

I don't say this simply by way of America bashing. I like Americans, having personally become close friends with a number of Americans who visited South Africa. So there's no resentment or shadenfreude or anything informing these comments.

American movement conservatism's luddite impulses are dismantling America's once profound advantages. I personally know three scientists who have left the USA for Europe because of the Bush administration and right-wing attacks on science.

There is no small amount of irony in the fact that the same voices proclaiming the fantasy demise of an ever stronger and more influential Europe... are in fact the voices of a movement that is contributing to America's decline.

[TransitJohn]

4. That's what I'm talking about.

When I'm in Europe, what I see is a vibrant, healthy society, with happy people to boot. At home in the States, not so much.

[kevinmc]

2. that's code for Muslims are taking over and out breeding Xtians .. n/t

[Nay]

5. Frankly, it's because none of them have gone to Europe to see for

themselves. Plus, the worst of them could go to Europe and still not see what was in front of their faces.

[applegrove]

6. I think that was the meme Rumsfieldl put out there when "old europe"

refused to sign up for Iraq. Notably germany and france.